Playing for the Planet: How Sports for Nature Is Helping Sport Protect the Natural World It Depends On

The world of sport has never been more united in its commitment to tackling the climate crisis. But alongside carbon, a quieter and equally urgent challenge is now moving centre stage: biodiversity loss. From urban parks to coastal waters and mountain valleys, sport’s relationship with nature is deep, complex and increasingly fragile. The Sports for Nature (S4N) initiative — led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy — is working to ensure that sport becomes a positive force for nature protection and restoration by 2030 and beyond.